Welcome to the 7th stop of Parallel's blog tour!! I am so happy to be participating in this tour! I absolutely loved Claudia Lefeve's novel, Parallel. (Review to come!) I had the opportunity to interview Claudia, but first here's a little info about her and her book.
Claudia Lefeve was born and raised in the Gulf Coast border town of Brownsville, Texas; a curious place where folks see curanderas in lieu of shrinks, tortillas are served at every meal, and even gringos speak Spanish. Parallel, the first book in The Travelers series, is her debut YA speculative novel. She currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and two pugs.
Destiny has a way of catching up.Saddled with powers she doesn’t understand, Etta Fleming’s world turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. A reality she was meant to be a part of.One minute, she’s an orphan living in Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids, then finds herself attending the exclusive Dominion Hall Academy.Plucked from the only world she’s ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn’t know, and a best friend who can’t know.
Parallel also has a new book cover! What do you think?
And now here's Claudia!
Before we begin the interview, I’d like to thank Lauren for having me here on Ravishing Reads and for being a fabulous host during my blog tour!
What inspired you to write this book?
I've always been fascinated by the concept of alternate realities and time-travel, even though I'm not a fan of science fiction (I know, right?). When I set out to write Parallel, I also wanted to focus on the study of psionics (psychic abilities, fringe science, etc.). I wanted readers to be introduced to the scientific principles of the paranormal versus writing about vampires, werewolves, or witches. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good vampire story, but I hope my readers will appreciate something different.
I've always been fascinated by the concept of alternate realities and time-travel, even though I'm not a fan of science fiction (I know, right?). When I set out to write Parallel, I also wanted to focus on the study of psionics (psychic abilities, fringe science, etc.). I wanted readers to be introduced to the scientific principles of the paranormal versus writing about vampires, werewolves, or witches. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good vampire story, but I hope my readers will appreciate something different.
What are some of your favorite books?
That's so not a fair question! I read, on average, two to four books a week. I'm also guilty of re-reading books. I don't think I can pick a favorite book, but as far a genres, I love reading cozy mysteries, horror, paranormal romance, young adult, and police procedurals. I go through phases when I read and right now I'm really into young adult paranormal. Last fall, it was all about mysteries.
That's so not a fair question! I read, on average, two to four books a week. I'm also guilty of re-reading books. I don't think I can pick a favorite book, but as far a genres, I love reading cozy mysteries, horror, paranormal romance, young adult, and police procedurals. I go through phases when I read and right now I'm really into young adult paranormal. Last fall, it was all about mysteries.
Did you have much say in the cover of your book?
As an indie author, I have complete control over my cover art. One of the things that led me to go the indie route was the ability to have complete control over my books. Before I decided to take the plunge and publish on my own, I used to worry that I'd be published by a mainstream publisher and get stuck with a horrible cover.
As an indie author, I have complete control over my cover art. One of the things that led me to go the indie route was the ability to have complete control over my books. Before I decided to take the plunge and publish on my own, I used to worry that I'd be published by a mainstream publisher and get stuck with a horrible cover.
When can we expect to read your next book?
The second book in the series, Paradox, will continue where Parallel left off. I don't want to give away too much, but I can say that Etta will learn more about her role on the Council, will be introduced to the dystopian conditions of Cooper's reality, and you’ll even find her traipsing around realities, in order to round up her team of travelers to take down Oliver.
The second book in the series, Paradox, will continue where Parallel left off. I don't want to give away too much, but I can say that Etta will learn more about her role on the Council, will be introduced to the dystopian conditions of Cooper's reality, and you’ll even find her traipsing around realities, in order to round up her team of travelers to take down Oliver.
And now what you've all been waiting for...
THE GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away an ebook of Parallel (open internationally!!). All you have to do is comment on this post with your email address. Each day on each blog, one ebook of Parallel is being given away.
In addition to the daily giveaway, each comment will enter contestants into the grand prize giveaway for a chance to win a Parallel prize pack complete with a gorgeous bracelet, a travel coffee mug with the Battle Grounds logo (Battle Grounds is a fictional coffee shop that figures throughout Parallel), an ebook of the book and a eReader skin (Nook, Kindle or Kobo – winner’s choice) and a signed, hard copy of Parallel!
Just comment here to enter! Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the other tour stops! :)
Monday, October 3rd - Alice Marvels
Tuesday, October 4th - Librarian Mouse
Wednesday, October 5th - Smitten with Books
Thursday, October 6th - My Shelf Confessions
Friday, October 7th - Bewitched Bookworms
Monday, October 10th - Kindle Fever
Tuesday, October 11st - Ravishing Reads
Wednesday, October 12nd - The Book Faery
Thursday, October 13th- I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
Friday, October 14th - Chick Loves Lit
Monday, October 17th - Tynga's Reviews
Tuesday, October 18th - That Bookish Girl
Wednesday,October 19th - Books Complete Me
Thursday, October 20th - Belle Books
Friday, October 21st - Books With Bite
Enjoying the tour! And I like the new cover, as well. Go, Claudia!
ReplyDeleteplease count me in anf great interview!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book, I'm curious to find out why Etta was in the wrong reality.
ReplyDeletemelorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com
Thank you again for hosting me today! I had a blast doing the interview and you were so nice not to point out that I only half answered your last question...I hope to have Paradox (book 2) out by December :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to today's ebook giveaway winner!
Looks like a great read, can't wait for the release!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Parallel last night and I LOVED IT! I cannot wait for the next book! I had the ebook on my phone and literally couldn't put it down, I read on the subway, at work, while I ate dinner. I got sucked into the world(s) and was captivated by the characters, especially Cooper!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing such a fun story and please keep writing.
@Jessica - Thank you! It really means alot to hear that :) I'm really pushing for a December release for book 2!
ReplyDeleteWow, never heard of this one before but it sounds great! Thanks for the fab giveaway :)
ReplyDelete